Pacira's long-acting non-opioidpain drug gets FDA ok

The US FDA has cleared for marketing Pacira Pharmaceuticals' long-acting version of bupivacaine, Exparel (bupivacaine extended-release liposome injection), as a postsurgical analgesic. Although the stock hit a high of $11.10 as investors awaited word on FDA approval, the company must still spend considerable time and resources to gain acceptance of the product by hospitals, which have relied on conventionally released bupivacaine. Pacira's shares closed down 4% to $9.78 on 31 October.